Ducks looking to shore up depth at inside linebacker

During their run to the BCS National Championship game last season, the Ducks prided themselves on playing as many as 25 defenders per game.

In 2011, Oregon looks to be just as deep defensively. The exception might be inside linebacker, where two new starters lead a group of players long on talent but short on experience.

With the status of potential starter Kiko Alonso unknown due to a suspension, replacing Casey Matthews at middle linebacker will be senior Dewitt Stuckey’s task. Next to Stuckey at the weak-side position, manned in recent seasons by Spencer Paysinger, is junior Michael Clay.

While neither has started a game in his career, and Stuckey has never played in more than six games in a season, coaches are confident in the first-string duo, who have become leaders at their position.

“They’re both performing right where they should be,” UO linebackers coach Don Pellum said. “They’ve been around. Sometimes guys are ready, they just didn’t have an opportunity. I feel good about them. Both of those guys have been coming on for the last two years. Now it’s just, let’s get out there and see.”

Clay said he and Alonso, both natives of the south Bay Area in Northern California, had a solid bond on the field from knowing each other so well before arriving at Oregon. Since the spring, he’s worked to replicate that with Stuckey.

“I feel really good playing with him,” Clay said. “It’s been building since spring, and it’s been great.”